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Related Experiment Videos

Identification and the commitment shift: accounting for gender differences in relationship illusions.

Faby M Gagné1, John E Lydon

  • 1Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA. fgagne@wellesley.edu

Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|March 17, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Women consistently exhibit relationship illusions, perceiving partners more favorably. Men’s illusions depend on relationship commitment, with low commitment leading to devaluation and high commitment to exaggeration.

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Area of Science:

  • Social Psychology
  • Relationship Science
  • Gender Studies

Background:

  • Previous research indicates gender disparities in relationship illusions.
  • Women tend to view dating partners more positively than partners view themselves.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To replicate and examine moderators of gender differences in relationship illusions.
  • Investigate the roles of relationship commitment and satisfaction.

Main Methods:

  • Two studies were conducted with dating individuals.
  • Data collected on perceptions of partners, self-perceptions, relationship commitment, satisfaction, and identification.

Main Results:

  • Gender differences in relationship illusions were replicated.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Relationship commitment moderated illusions in men but not women.
  • Men low in commitment devalued partners; high commitment led to exaggeration.
  • Women exhibited illusions regardless of commitment level.
  • Relationship-specific identification and commitment effects were observed in Study 2.

    • Conclusions:

    • Gender differences in relationship illusions are influenced by commitment levels.
    • Men require relationship identification and commitment for pro-relationship thinking.
    • Women display relationship illusions as a general disposition.